Self-leveling table



(No Model.) W. A. MILLER.

SELF LEVELING TABLE.

Patented Mar. 8, 1898.

wwg/sms rrnn XVARD A. MILLER, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SELF-LEVELING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,481, dated March 8,1898. Application filed May 24,1897. Serial No. 637,897. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern.-

Beit known that I, \VARD A. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Butler, in the county of Butlerand State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tables; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and novel improvements in tables.

The invention has for its object the construction of a table for useupon railway-cars, boats, &c.

The invention relates particularly to diningtables, and in the ordinaryform of table 110w in general use the great trouble has been to keep thedishes, &c., upon the table, owing to the rocking motion imparted to thecar or boat. Therefore the object of my invention is to provide a tablewhich will be able to adjust itself to a level position regardless ofthe motion of the car or boat.

lVith the above object in view the invention finally consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangements of parts to behereinafter more specifically described.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and whereinlike figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews,in which Figure 1 is a side View of my improved table, partlyshown in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the topremoved. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the working part.

To put my invention into practice, I provide a frame comprising abowl-shaped receptacle open at the bottom and having the legs 1 and arms2 formed thereon. WVithin the said receptacle is formed a groove whichex- .tends all the way around and has loosely fitted therein theantifriction-balls 3. Secured to the under side of the table-top is theplate 4, which has the large ball 5 formed thereon, the said ball beingadapted to seat upon the antifriction-balls of the receptacle, as shown.Within the under side of the said ball is formed a threaded opening,into which is attached the rod 6, having the weight 7 formed upon it andattached to its lower end, as shown. To the under side of the table-topand to the ends of the arms 2 are suitably attached the spiral springs8, which aid in securing the table-top to the frame.

In practice should the car or boat incline one way or the other theweight 7 will automatically adjust the table-top to a perfectlylevelposition and the springs 8 will prevent any vibration of the top. It istherefore readily seen that the table-top is capable of maintaining alevel position regardless of any motion of the car or boat.

Slight variations may be made in the detail parts of my inventionWithout departing from the general spirit of the same.

Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I A table consisting of thetop having a plate secured to its under side said plate having a balldepending therefrom, a weight secured to said ball, in combination witha frame composed of a bowl-shaped receptacle open at its bottom, agroove within said bowl-shaped receptacle in which are placedantifriction-balls, and legs and arms made integral with the saidbowl-shaped receptacle, the said arms being provided at the ends withsprings which are attached to the table-top, substantially as shown anddescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VARD A. MILLER.

\Vitnesses:

W. H. MAXWELL, JOHN GROETZINGER.

